Here's how you can discover trustworthy instructors and educators in creative strategy continuing education.

Checking credentials is crucial for finding credible instructors in creative strategy. ?? Look for academic degrees, professional certifications, and relevant field experience. A solid educational background ensures comprehensive understanding, while hands-on experience offers practical insights and real-world applications. This combination guarantees depth and breadth in teaching. ????

Consider credentials related to your targeted purpose. For example, when I’m looking to develop a skill to use in the classroom, my target is an instructor who can focus on a relevant age group that I teach, preferably with personal experience. Coaching training and experience is also a plus. It’s in our long term benefit to “learn by doing” with someone who knows how to help us find our own path. Someone who simply tells us what to do will teach us to be them. Let’s be ourselves…just better trained. All the accreditations, articles, and books can pale in comparison with real life examples that become yours.

Peer insights are invaluable for evaluating educators. ??? Speak with colleagues or professionals in your network who have taken similar courses. Their firsthand experiences offer valuable information about teaching style, course content, and instructor effectiveness. Word-of-mouth feedback provides a trusted perspective on strengths and weaknesses. ????

An instructor's online presence is highly informative. ?? Check their professional profiles on networking platforms, personal blogs, or published articles. Active participation in discussions and contributions to the creative strategy community indicate passion and expertise. Additionally, online reviews or ratings from past students provide insights into their reputation and teaching satisfaction. ???

Online presence can be a gold mine or a land mine. If someone’s profile lacks citations, simply a commercial for their brand, restates what has been shared many times, or humble brags their accomplishments, the superficial posting (i.e. you can probably look it up yourself) makes it challenging to learn meaningful information. If your learning target is intro level, this may be a good fit. If you’re looking to dig deeper, consider digging for posts that use citations and studies, ask questions to make you think deeper, and using multiple sources of information. Ultimately, learning is a unique experience and will provide the benefit when the effort is made to forge our own learning path.

Recently, I’ve found it helpful to ask for mid-course feedback. Ultimately, my goal as an instructor is always to make sure the learning needs of my class is addressed. While there are required subject matter, curriculum, and resources involved in classes and training, the way we provide them is often unique to the group. So I may ask something as simple as “What other things can we do to make sure this class meets your expectations?”. Have them write it on a sticky note and put it on the table when they leave for a break. These small “check ins” are an invaluable way to demonstrate both a growth mindset and humility in ways to create a true learning community.

Ready to level up your creative strategy skills? Finding the right guide is half the battle! Start by checking credentials, but don't stop there. Dive into their real-world experience. But here's the kicker: look for instructors who challenge conventional wisdom. True innovation often lives outside the textbook. Remember, the best teachers are eternal students themselves. The secret sauce? Seek out educators with a diverse portfolio. Cross-industry insights can spark game-changing ideas.